Every New Year’s Eve, local families of homicide victims, along with police, religious leaders and elected officials hold a candlelight service to keep alive memories of their loved ones. There were 188 homicides in St. Louis at the time of the service and 38 in St. Louis County, as reported by county police. Almost three-quarters of the victims were black men, the vast majority killed with guns. The vigil is sponsored by Families Advocating Safe Streets, and has now been held for a quarter of a century.
FAMILIES ADVOCATING SAFE STREETS
